"Who was it?" Jiang Rongjia asked, his face solemn. This matter absolutely could not be dropped.
"A palace maid who tends the incense in Zhaohua Palace. But that maid was likely acting under someone else's orders. The person behind it still needs to be investigated," Xiao Yanchu said. A mere palace maid wouldn't have the nerve to drug him herself.
Jiang Rongjia nodded. "I will tell my father about this. We must find the mastermind behind it." Jiang Chenghan's Inspectorate was directly under the emperor's command, so this matter fell squarely within the official duties.
Having made up his mind, Jiang Rongjia wanted to leave the palace immediately to inform Jiang Chenghan. Starting the investigation sooner would mean eliminating the threat to Xiao Yanchu sooner. Compared to Xiao Yanchu's safety, nothing else mattered.
But before leaving, he still couldn't help worrying and instructed Xiao Yanchu: "Your Majesty, please focus on resting and recovering properly. You should retire for the night early, and pay close attention to your meals. Be certain to avoid any foods that might cause irritation or inflammation, and take great care to keep the wound completely dry to prevent any worsening of the injury..."
He continued on, offering a lengthy and detailed list of instructions and cautions. Xiao Yanchu listened patiently, a soft smile gracing his features as he nodded in acknowledgment and agreement to each one. Only then did Jiang Rongjia feel slightly reassured. After taking his leave, he turned to go. Xiao Yanchu personally saw him out to the palace door.
Descending the steps, Jiang Rongjia, for some reason, glanced back. The hall was brightly lit by candles. Under the majestic and ornate palace eaves, Xiao Yanchu stood quietly by the door, his solitary and slight figure making Jiang Rongjia's heart inexplicably ache.
Returning home, Jiang Rongjia immediately told Jiang Chenghan about the drugging incident involving Xiao Yanchu in Zhaohua Palace. Jiang Chenghan's face instantly turned stern and serious, and he left home at once for the Inspectorate.
After seeing Jiang Chenghan off, Yan Jingshu couldn't help but sigh. "Even if we uncover this one, I'm afraid there will be a second, a third… Until the matter of appointing an Empress is settled, neither the court nor the inner palace will have true peace…"
Jiang Rongjia's body stiffened. He pressed his lips together, a struggle visible in his eyes. After a long moment, he finally spoke. Some things were ultimately inescapable.
"Dad, half a month ago, His Majesty summoned me to Zhaohua Palace…" Jiang Rongjia took a deep breath and poured out everything that had happened over this period—Xiao Yanchu's words, his vows, his own confusion and hesitation—all in one go.
Yan Jingshu listened quietly throughout, his expression not changing in the slightest, as if he wasn't surprised at all. After Jiang Rongjia finished speaking, he thought for a moment, then asked him one question: "Jiajia, if you weren't a shuang'er, but a woman, would you still find this situation difficult?"
Jiang Rongjia instinctively said, "Of course not, but—" His words cut off abruptly because he instantly understood why Yan Jingshu had asked that.
If he were a woman, receiving such deep affection and commitment from Xiao Yanchu, he would be deeply moved—how could he possibly be troubled, hesitant, or indecisive? But he wasn't a woman. Not only was he not a woman, he was a shuang'er who had difficulty conceiving offspring. Even if he and Xiao Yanchu were together, it was highly likely they would have no heirs in the future.
Moreover, he could not bear to disappoint Xiao Yanchu's sincere feelings or leave him isolated and alone. Yet, even more than this, he had never forgotten the earnest teachings instilled in him by his two fathers. He was unwilling to throw away his own future and cause them the pain of disappointment.
Jiang Rongjia had come to understand. What he was uncertain about was not how to reject Xiao Yanchu, but how to avoid both hurting Xiao Yanchu and disappointing his two fathers. As for whether he himself had feelings for Xiao Yanchu, it was now clearer than ever.
Suddenly realizing this, Jiang Rongjia could not help but feel somewhat ashamed.
Seeing him like this, Yan Jingshu smiled gently and, just as he had done in his childhood, softly stroked his hair. Then, as if able to read his thoughts, he said warmly, "Jia'er, Yanchu is also a child we have watched grow up. Your father and I both trust his character and have long been aware of his feelings for you, so we had anticipated this day would come..."
Jiang Rongjia suddenly looked up, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.
But Yan Jingshu brought up another matter, saying, "Do you still remember when the Thirteenth Prince sought to marry you?"
Jiang Rongjia did not know why his father suddenly mentioned this, but he nodded nonetheless.
Yan Jingshu then proceeded to tell him about the plans Xiao Yanchu had devised with Jiang Chenghan and Mu Chongyan after that incident, concluding, "...At that time, I already understood his intentions. I just never expected he would restrain himself until now to speak to you."
Jiang Rongjia lowered his gaze and remained silent, but the shock in his heart was known only to himself.
Yan Jingshu understood his feelings and did not require any response from him. He simply continued, "Dad knows your concerns, but Dad wants you to understand more than anything that no wealth or status is half as important as you and Kang'er. Don't force or compromise yourself for the sake of your father and me. Doing what you truly wish to do is the only thing your father and I want to see."
After a long silence, Jiang Rongjia said slowly, "...I understand, Dad."
After speaking with Yan Jingshu, Jiang Rongjia returned to his room and lay awake all night. The next morning, he went to Hanlin Academy at the usual hour as scheduled. After the emperor concluded his court session, Jiang Rongjia once again went to Zhaohua Palace to see Xiao Yanchu.
However, contrary to Yan Jingshu's expectations, no announcement followed regarding Xiao Yanchu appointing Jiang Rongjia as empress. The situation appeared unchanged. Though perplexed, Yan Jingshu refrained from questioning Jiang Rongjia—since he had already told him to follow his own wishes, he did not question him about it.
But not long after, rumors suddenly spread from the palace that Xiao Yanchu had been poisoned, leaving him bedridden. As the poison was severe and medicine proved ineffective, he was nearing his final moments.
The news caused an uproar throughout the capital, and naturally, many began to stir with ambition. It was at this time that Master Huizhi of the Wanfa Temple on the capital's outskirts, while praying for blessings, received divine guidance through the Buddha's mercy. He calculated a specific birth chart, stating that the emperor's fate was too weighty, hence this life-and-death calamity. If someone with this birth chart could be registered as his companion, he would overcome this trial and live a life free of worry.
The emperor immediately issued an edict, ordering a search for the person with this birth chart. Regardless of whether the person was woman or shuang'er, commoner or noble, they would be made empress.
The capital was once again thrown into an uproar, with countless people discussing and marveling, the commotion growing increasingly fervent. Another month passed in this manner. Just as the emperor, critically ill and on the verge of death, seemed unable to hold on, heaven finally took pity. The one and only person with this birth chart was found: Jiang Rongjia, son of Jiang Chenghan, Chief Commander of the Inspectorate, and a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
The enthronement ceremony was grand and magnificent. To everyone's greater joy, after the emperor's grand wedding, his health gradually began to improve. Although the poison had damaged his foundation, leaving him far less healthy than before, this outcome was still met with immense relief. Towards Jiang Rongjia, who had a promising future but was compelled to become empress, people felt both sympathy and profound gratitude.
To ensure Jiang Rongjia would not face the slightest criticism, Xiao Yanchu had exhausted all his ingenuity. Fortunately, he ultimately achieved his wish, and his efforts were not in vain.
Five years after the emperor and empress's grand wedding, as the empress had not produced an heir, the matter of selecting consorts and taking concubines was raised again. The emperor seemed to soften under repeated persuasion. However, as soon as the selected women entered the palace, the emperor fell ill once more. The master from Wanfa Temple stated that the union of the emperor and empress was a heaven-bestowed marriage by the Buddha's grace. If others were involved, it would hinder this celestial harmony and be greatly detrimental to the emperor.
Thus, the selection had to be stopped. After all the selected women left the palace, the emperor's illness unexpectedly healed without medicine. While ministers and the populace marveled, they could not help but worry about the imperial succession.
However, as Master Huizhi had stated, since this was a marriage predestined by heaven, how could it be incomplete? Therefore, not long after the selection process was stopped, joyous news emerged from the palace: the empress was expecting a child.
The emperor was overjoyed. He issued an imperial decree granting amnesty to prisoners, reduced taxes, held En Ke, and prayed for blessings for the empress. Six months later, the empress successfully gave birth to a daughter. The emperor was exceedingly fond of her and immediately enfeoffed her as Crown Princess.
For the Crown Princess's full moon celebration, the emperor and empress invited their closest kin to Zhaohua Palace to celebrate, sharing the joys of family life.
End
